Discussion

Best Indian resto's in Boston (for musicman and others)

I was reading a post by musicman over on the London board, comparing some of the better London Indian restaurants with what Boston had to offer. I wanted to ask those who have experienced Indian food outside Boston and the US what their favorite Indian restaurants are in the Boston area. I am not typically guided by restaurant reviews of Indian restaurants because most critics have little idea what they are talking about for Indian, but CH'ers have put me on to great stuff in London and I was hoping for some good news on the Boston front.

Just for reference, in my non-bell-curved scale, Tamarind Bay in Harvard Square is good but not very good (would feel ok taking my parents there, but wouldn't tell them to expect a great meal). Is there anything truly exceptional out there? And if not, anything at least very good? I'm trying to set the bar high here.

A second question -- are there are non-Punjabi/north-Indian Indian restaurants in Boston that are good or better? For reference, some of those old-time places serving dosas in Central Square I would rate as less than good.

Just logging on from the safety of my own home, after an excellent visit to London! As with some of the replies you'll see below, I am a big-time, long-time fan of India Quality in Kenmore Square. (And son of dry-fried okra fame is darn near fanatic about it!) Also, about a year ago the IQ folks opened a place called Punjab Palace in the Allston section of Boston. I apologize for not being literate about the regions / styles involved, but there is a difference between the two restaurants (e.g., IQ does Saag Paneer while PP prepares Palak Paneer).

And not that you asked, but since I'm jet-lagged and feeling generous: if you like food from that region of the world, I also highly recommend the Afghani food at The Helmand in Cambridge.